Plastic Surgery

Pathway Director

Drexel Fourth Year Discipline Based Pathway System

• Pathways Overview
• Plastic Surgery Pathway Overview (Student Handbook)

Pathway Director's Advice On Commonly Asked Questions

Go to the Drexel Careers Development Center for information on residency planning, match results, FREIDA (lists of residency training programs across the country) and more.

Drexel and Clinical Site Residency Programs

• Lehigh Valley Hospital

Drexel Medical Student Interest Group

Plastic Surgery

Specialty Description

A plastic surgeon deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia or cosmetic enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon uses cosmetic surgical principles to both improve overall appearances and to optimize the outcome of reconstructive procedures as well. (Adapted from the American Board of Medical Specialties' "Guide to Physician Specialties" and the Pathway Evaluation Program for Medical Professionals' "Specialty Profiles," 2003.)

Time Requirement

See ACGME for current requirements: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp
There are two pathways to plastic surgery: independent plastic surgery programs of two or three year’s duration or integrated programs of five or six years duration.

National Organizations

The national specialty organizations can provide medical students with excellent resources as well as updates on current activities within the field, conferences, and on-going research opportunities and research funding.

• American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation

Subspecialties

• Craniofacial Surgery
• Hand Surgery

Residency Application and Match Info*

*The number of applications and programs ranked will vary based on many factors.  Students should seek advice from their Pathway Advisor and/or the Career Development Center in conjunction with the data above.
**Data drawn from 2008 United States Graduates (USG) ERAS Statistics for Residency Specialties. 17Jun2009.
***National Resident Matching Program Characteristics of Matched Seniors, 2006-2008. 17Jun2009.

AAMC - Careers in Medicine

General Information: http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_plasticsurgery.htm
(Log in for more helpful data to include: Personal Characteristics / Match data / Residency Requirements / Workforce Statistics / Compensation)

Specialty Specific Opportunities

For external research, volunteering, educational, and other opportunities check the Career Development Center's pages on Research and Community, Educational, and Externship Opportunities. Most of these opportunities are summer programs however some are available throughout the year.